How to perk up your patio [Pictures]

CaptionPlants, faux and for real

Clarissa Westmeyer Photo Courtesy of Arhaus Furniture

You can't solely rely on what Mother Nature provides. Sometimes you need to add more foliage to your space. Baltimore decorator Stephanie Bradshaw suggests creating a potted garden. "Bringing your indoor plants out will make them happy," she said. "Use any kinds of palms or boxwoods - anything...

You can't solely rely on what Mother Nature provides. Sometimes you need to add more foliage to your space. Baltimore decorator Stephanie Bradshaw suggests creating a potted garden. "Bringing your indoor plants out will make them happy," she said. "Use any kinds of palms or boxwoods - anything... (Clarissa Westmeyer Photo Courtesy of Arhaus Furniture)

Choosing the color or pattern can be crucial for your patio. Design experts say colors such as yellow, orange, green (the Pantone color of the year), blue and white are musts this summer. And nautical stripes are a perennial favorite in any color. "Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns,"...

Choosing the color or pattern can be crucial for your patio. Design experts say colors such as yellow, orange, green (the Pantone color of the year), blue and white are musts this summer. And nautical stripes are a perennial favorite in any color. "Don't be afraid to mix and match patterns,"... (Pier 1 Imports Photo)

Fire pits will help on cool nights and to extend the season of your patio, but Megan Maddox, a spokeswoman for Watson's Fireplace & Patio in Timonium, says on most summery days shade is essential. "A new umbrella will add style, color and shade making your patio more functional as well as...

Fire pits will help on cool nights and to extend the season of your patio, but Megan Maddox, a spokeswoman for Watson's Fireplace & Patio in Timonium, says on most summery days shade is essential. "A new umbrella will add style, color and shade making your patio more functional as well as... (Photo courtesy of Watson's Fireplace & Patio)

Nouveau's Steve Appel takes a tranquil approach to outdoor decor. Accessories like Buddhas continue to be a popular item in his Baltimore store, he said. "The fascination in them hasn't slowed down a bit," he said. "It is a cool way to bring the peace outside. It's a nice change in pace from...

Nouveau's Steve Appel takes a tranquil approach to outdoor decor. Accessories like Buddhas continue to be a popular item in his Baltimore store, he said. "The fascination in them hasn't slowed down a bit," he said. "It is a cool way to bring the peace outside. It's a nice change in pace from... (Photo courtesy of Nouveau Contemporary Goods)

Advances in weather-resistant outdoor furniture have created options for seating, chairs and more. "No longer are we left with so few choices for patios that are pretty exposed to the elements all the time," said Steve Appel, owner of Nouveau Contemporary Goods / Whitehead & Appel Interior...

Advances in weather-resistant outdoor furniture have created options for seating, chairs and more. "No longer are we left with so few choices for patios that are pretty exposed to the elements all the time," said Steve Appel, owner of Nouveau Contemporary Goods / Whitehead & Appel Interior... (Craig Brown Photo Courtesy of Arhaus Furniture)

If overgrown foliage, outdated furniture and an overall lack of imagination have contributed to the state of emergency that now describes your patio, don't fret. We have assembled a team of experts to offer some patio-perfect tips to get your outdoor area ready for warm-weather entertaining....